Monday, April 28, 2008

Deadlines Suck

So I've let myself off the hook with my deadline. Or rather my deadline (yet another one) approached at the speed of light and I realized I wasn't going to make it. Finally I threw my hands up in surrender (albeit with much cursing and swearing) and decided, screw it. I'm just going to hack away at this thing (thing being my manuscript and I believe the actual terminology used was 'piece of crap') until I was finished.

I've reached the point now where I'm sick of it. Actually I think I reached that point last month. But there's little choice but to finish with an editor request hanging in the balance. I don't actually hate the book. I love the book. I love the characters. I love the whole damn series to be honest. I'm just sick of writing this book over and over again until I get all the elements in place so the rest of the series, and this book in particular, flow they way the need to.

Whose idea was it to throw a mystery thread in there anyway? Sigh...

Anyway, I have 50 pages left to edit, then I need to sit down and read through it, make a final clean up and then off it goes. There will be no more edits after that. And when I sit down to write Saving Grace, I will have gone through such a detailed outlining process, that it will not take anywhere near as long as Brimstone. I will have figured out all the little ins and outs of the story and the mystery and the GMCs before I try to write it. Granted, there will always be surprises, but hopefully none as story-altering as what I ended up with in Brimstone.

Meanwhile, back at the weight loss ranch, I've decided to add in 3 days of strength training to my workout routine to build up some muscle tone for the summer in the hopes it will prevent me running in horror when I stand in front of the mirror in shorts. I picked up Kathy Smith's Matrix Workout at Chapters and did that yesterday. Now, I'm in pretty good shape, but damn if this thing didn't kick my ass. Literally. It's very sore today. If this workout doesn't build up muscle tone, then I probably don't have any, that's all I can say.

By the way, can anyone tell me the law on firing a rocket launcher across the street into your neighbor's driveway to take out the stupid motorcycle they insist on idling for nearly 15 minutes every freakin' morning? I'm pretty sure that would qualify as justifiable homicide, right (yes, he's sitting on the motorcyle while it idles, and no, I have no reticence about taking him out with it)? And, uh, should one be requiring a rocket launcher, where exactly would one get such an item...ebay?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think the same law that covers neighbors playing basketball at midnight applies to idling motorcycles...

I bet you are going to be SO glad to be finished with this book!

Melissa Amateis said...

I am intensely curious as to why this person lets it idle for 15 minutes every morning while he is sitting on it. What does he do during that 15 minutes? Just stare off into space? Weird.

Kelly Boyce said...

That's what I can't figure out. And I'm afraid to ask. Sometimes he goes back in the house. Other times he is just sitting on it and then he takes off. I think, for the sake of the environment alone, he needs to be taken out.

Lexi said...

Hang in there, Kelly! You're almost there.

Dixie Belle said...

I clicked on the link to your blog and my heart just went flip-flop when I saw the terrific photo!! LOL.

I know what you mean about revisions. I feel like I am never going to finish myself.

Tess said...

Ah yes, the "piece of crap" stage. How well I know it.

Good luck with those last 50 pages.

Re: strength training. Good on ya! I've added free arm weights into my routine to tone up as well. And am upping the resistance on the elliptical for my legs. Ah, vanity.

As for the motorcycle. 15 mins?? I'll ask Sean about that. Is it a Harley, by chance? Sean never idles his - he just gets on and goes. I'd say you're well within your rights re the rocket launcher!!

Amy Ruttan said...

i'm still locking for my rocket launcher and ummm something that can blow up automated telemarkters who call me 17 times a day.

I have a self imposed deadline May 15th and if I don't meet it, I don't get any ice cream. I haven't eaten ice cream in forever. DaMN got to finish.

Going to finish and raid the DQ. :)